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The Cabin Program

What is the Cabin Program?

Often referred to as the cabin program, the official name is the U.S. Forest Service Recreation Residence Program (RRP). This unique "Cabin in the Woods" program was established by Congress in 1915 to facilitate family recreation experiences on our National Forests. A cabin and its improvements are the personal property of the owner who pays an annual fee for the use of the National Forest land the cabin sits on. Renewable Special Uses Permits are issued for 20 years at a time and come with a number of restrictions and obligations for the use of the land. A two-page Recreation Residence Program Overviewis mandatory reading for anyone considering the purchase of a cabin.

Currently, there are nearly 14,000 cabins in the program. Cabin lots are typically grouped into cabin tracts by the Forest Service. Over 800 cabin tracts are located within 114 National Forests in 24 States, plus Puerto Rico.

Mission Statement:

National Forest Homeowners is a member-directed organization representing cabin-owner recreation residence permittees on our national forests. NFH provides leadership, member information and assistance, and advocacy for continuation of all recreation residences. It is dedicated to educating its members and others in sound science stewardship of our forests.